BLACKPOOL Council's sports centre and Moor Park swimming pool have scooped gold medals for quality - the only venues in Lancashire to win the UK's top leisure excellence award.

Quest is the number one quality scheme for sport and leisure facilities and is run by the Sports Councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The scheme is based on the European Business Excellence model, measuring top companies' performance and long-term improvements.

To win the prize for superb sporting services, staff at the two leisure centres had to endure an independent inspection which assessed cleanliness, customer service and venue management.

And, as if that wasn't enough, mystery visitors called in to make unannounced checks on the premises.

Blackpool's leisure services chairman, Roy Lewis, said the award was the latest in a string of triumphs for the council's leisure division.

He said: "This places the leisure team firmly on the top podium spot as Lancashire's number one sporting service stars.

"For this success our staff deserve their own lap of honour for all the hard work they have done during the past year to win this award.

"Blackpool now boasts not one, but two leading sports venues in the region which is great news for residents and visitors alike."

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